Maryland's Lawmaking Process: From Bill To Act

The process of how a bill becomes a law in Maryland can be lengthy and complex. The Maryland General Assembly, the state's legislative body, meets in Annapolis each year from January to April. During this time, legislators introduce and sponsor bills, which are then drafted by legislative staff aides for approval. Bills are assigned a number and committee in the House or Senate, where they are examined and heard by committee members. The committee then votes on the bill, and if it receives a favorable vote, it moves to the full chamber for debate and a final vote. If passed, the bill is sent to the other chamber for consideration, and if approved, it is sent to the governor for signature or veto. The governor has a limited period, typically 30 days, to decide on signing or vetoing the bill. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law. This process is crucial in shaping the state's legislation and involves careful consideration and input from various parties.

Legislative process

The legislative process in Maryland begins with a legislator deciding to sponsor a bill, which is then drafted by legislative staff aides for the legislator's approval. Bills on most subjects may be introduced in either chamber of the Maryland General Assembly—the Senate or the House of Delegates—during the first 55 days of a session (which runs from January to April). After that, a bill may only be introduced with the consent of two-thirds of the membership of the chamber in which it is to be introduced.

The Maryland Constitution requires that a bill receive three "readings" and favourable votes in each chamber. When a bill is introduced, it receives its first reading, during which the title, sponsor, and committee assignment are announced. The assigned committee then holds a hearing to consider the bill, during which anyone may testify, and written statements from constituents may also be submitted. The committee then meets again to consider proposed amendments and to vote on the bill, after which it may be voted "favourable", "favourable with amendments", or "unfavourable". Alternatively, the bill may be referred for interim study or be voted down.

If the bill receives a favourable committee vote, it will be sent to the full chamber for a second reading. The bill and any amendments made by the committee are explained to the full chamber, which may then debate the bill and offer further amendments. If the bill passes the second reading vote, it is reprinted to incorporate the amendments and is put to a final vote by the full chamber. No amendments may be offered at this stage, and a roll-call vote must be taken. If the bill passes this vote, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration, where the process is similar.

If the second chamber passes an amended version of the bill, it is sent back to the original chamber, which will consider the amendments. The chamber of origin may concur in the amendments or reject them. If it rejects them, the second chamber may be asked to withdraw its amendments. If the second chamber agrees, the amendments are removed, and the chamber votes again on the original version of the bill. If it does not agree, either chamber may request an appointed conference committee, consisting of three members from each chamber, to reach a compromise. Four out of six committee members must vote in favour of a compromise bill for it to be reported out; otherwise, the bill dies. The conference report must be approved by both houses before the bill is considered passed.

Once both chambers have passed identical versions of the bill, it is sent to the governor for signature or veto. The governor has a limited period of time, usually six days (according to one source; another says 30 days), excluding Sunday, to decide whether to sign or veto a bill. If the governor does not act within the required period, the bill automatically becomes law. The General Assembly may override a veto with a three-fifths vote of the elected membership of each chamber. Once the bill is approved, it is assigned a chapter number and becomes part of the Laws of Maryland.

Committee hearing

The committee hearing is a critical stage in the legislative process in Maryland, where a bill undergoes scrutiny and deliberation by a committee of experts and stakeholders. This stage provides an opportunity for in-depth analysis, discussion, and amendment of the proposed legislation. Here is a detailed overview of the committee hearing process:

The Committee's Role

The bill is assigned to a committee in the House or Senate, which then examines and hears the proposal. The committee members, often experts in the field, play a crucial role in evaluating the merits of the bill and its potential impact. They may seek testimony from various sources, including public officials, advocates, and other stakeholders, to gather insights and opinions on the proposed legislation.

Testimony and Evidence

The committee hearing allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be presented. Testimony can be provided by individuals or groups, and it often reflects the views of experts, public officials, and advocates. This testimony is a vital part of the legislative process as it helps the committee members understand the potential implications of the bill. Written statements, such as letters and emails from constituents, are also accepted and considered by the committee.

Amendment and Voting

After the hearing, the committee meets again to discuss proposed amendments and vote on the bill. This deliberation process allows for a more nuanced approach to the legislation, as the committee can suggest changes that address concerns raised during the hearing. The committee vote can result in the bill being voted "favorable," "favorable with amendments," or "unfavorable." Alternatively, the committee may refer the bill for interim study, which postpones further action until the next session.

Full Chamber Consideration

If the committee supports the bill, it proceeds to the full chamber of its origin for a vote. At this stage, the bill and any amendments made by the committee are explained to the full chamber. This is followed by a debate, and amendments may be offered from the floor by chamber members. The vote on the bill and any amendments is usually conducted through voice votes. If the bill passes this stage, it is reprinted to incorporate the amendments before moving forward.

Second Chamber Consideration

The bill then moves to the second chamber, where the process is similar. However, testimony at the committee hearing may be limited, and only the bill's sponsor may be allowed to testify. The second chamber can propose amendments, and if there are no amendments, the bill is sent directly to the governor for consideration.

The committee hearing is a crucial step in Maryland's legislative process, providing a platform for thorough examination, discussion, and amendment of proposed legislation. It ensures that multiple perspectives are considered and that the potential impact of the bill is carefully evaluated before it advances further in the journey toward becoming a law.

Chamber vote

The Maryland General Assembly is a two-chamber legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Delegates. Bills on most subjects may be introduced in either chamber during the first 55 days of a session. After this period, a bill may only be introduced with the consent of two-thirds of the membership of the chamber in which it is to be introduced.

Once a bill has been introduced, it receives its first reading. This includes the announcement of the title, sponsor, and committee assignment. The assigned committee then holds a hearing to consider the bill, during which anyone may testify, and written statements from constituents may be submitted. After the hearing, the committee meets again to consider proposed amendments and vote on the bill. The committee can vote on the bill in several ways: "favorable," "favorable with amendments," "unfavorable," or refer the bill for interim study. If the bill receives a favorable committee vote, it will be sent to the full chamber for a second reading.

During the second reading, the bill and any amendments made by the committee are explained to the full chamber. The chamber may then debate the bill and offer further amendments. Votes are then taken on the bill and any amendments, usually by voice vote. If the bill passes this second reading vote, it is reprinted to incorporate any amendments and is put to a final vote by the full chamber.

In the final vote, no further amendments may be offered, and a roll call vote must be taken. If the bill passes this vote, it is sent to the other chamber for consideration, following a similar process. If the bill is passed by the second chamber, it is sent to the governor. However, if the second chamber passes an amended version of the bill, it is sent back to the original chamber for consideration of the amendments. The original chamber may then concur with the amendments or reject them. If the amendments are rejected, the second chamber may be asked to withdraw them, and if they agree, the amendments are stripped, and the second chamber votes again on the original version of the bill. If the second chamber does not agree to withdraw the amendments, either chamber may request a conference committee to reach a compromise.

Governor's signature

Once a bill has been passed by the Maryland General Assembly, it is presented to the Governor for their signature or veto. The Governor has a limited period, usually 30 days, to decide on the bill's fate. If the Governor approves of the bill, they will sign it within the allotted time, and it will become law. If the Governor takes no action within the 30-day period, the bill will also be adopted as law. However, if the Governor disagrees with the bill, they have the power to veto it.

The Governor's role in the legislative process is significant, as they can either support or oppose a bill's passage into law. If the Governor chooses to veto a bill, their decision is not necessarily final. The General Assembly has the power to override a veto with a supermajority vote. Specifically, a three-fifths vote of the elected membership of each chamber is required to overturn the Governor's veto. This showcases the system of checks and balances in the Maryland legislative process, where the executive branch, in the form of the Governor, and the legislative branch, represented by the General Assembly, have mechanisms to influence and counterbalance each other's decisions.

The process of a bill becoming a law in Maryland involves multiple steps and the collaboration of different branches of government. The Maryland General Assembly, consisting of the Senate and the House of Delegates, is responsible for introducing, debating, and voting on bills. Once a bill passes both chambers, it reaches the Governor's desk for consideration. The Governor's signature is crucial, as it signifies their approval and consent to the proposed legislation. However, the Governor's role is not merely ceremonial, as they have the power to veto and potentially halt a bill's progress. This dynamic between the legislative and executive branches adds complexity to the law-making process and highlights the importance of consensus-building and negotiation in governance.

The Governor's signature on a bill signifies more than just procedural approval; it represents the executive branch's endorsement of the proposed legislation. The Governor, as the head of the executive branch, has a unique perspective and responsibility for implementing and enforcing the laws enacted by the legislature. By signing a bill, the Governor indicates that they support the policy and will work to ensure its effective implementation. This collaborative aspect of law-making is essential for maintaining a cohesive and functional government. It also underscores the importance of communication and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches to achieve their shared goal of creating and enforcing laws that serve the best interests of the citizens of Maryland.

Veto or adoption

Once a bill has been passed by both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly, it is sent to the governor for their signature or veto. The governor has 30 days to decide whether to sign or veto the bill. If the governor approves the bill, or fails to act within the allotted time, the bill is adopted as law. If the governor vetoes the bill, the General Assembly may override the veto with a three-fifths vote of the elected membership of each chamber.

The General Assembly has 90 days to discuss and act on more than 2,000 bills, so the period between the introduction of a bill and its adoption as law can be long and tedious. The legislative session takes place between January and April each year, and these months are incredibly busy for legislators and advocates.

If a bill is not adopted, it may be due to a number of reasons. A bill may die if it is not supported by the committee, or if it is defeated in a vote. A bill may also be rejected or ignored by the other chamber, or amendments may be proposed that the original house does not accept. If the two chambers cannot agree on an identical version of the bill, it will die.

It is important for advocates to have a basic understanding of the legislative process, as well as the budget process in the State of Maryland. The budget is set by the Governor, who submits it to the General Assembly. The General Assembly has limited budget-making powers and can only make increases if it provides a new source of revenue to cover the cost.

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